Why Does a Coupon Have Limited Prints?

I love it when I get questions from all of you – as I really do love to help! Here was a question (or actually some questions) I was recently asked:

Why is it that you say “hurry as this coupon has limited prints?” Why are the prints limited? Why not just put enough coupons out there so that we can all print one if we want to?

Also, why is it, that I print a coupon one week and then go back the next week and it says I already printed it, when it has been longer than a week?

I’ve got the answer! I’ll break this into 3 parts to help you understand it all clearly.

PART 1 – WHY DO COUPONS HAVE LIMITED PRINTS?

When a manufacturer wants to release a printable coupon, they have to pay for the prints (just as they do in the weekly newspaper ads). For this reason, they have to establish a budget. That budget will allow for “x” number of prints across all sources. That in turn sets the number of allowable prints allowed by consumers. As we all print, the number counts down and when the last coupon is printed, the coupon disappears from the list.

PART 2 – WHY AM I PERSONALLY LIMITED TO THE NUMBER OF COUPONS I CAN PRINT?

The manufacturers want to make sure that the coupons can reach as many consumers as possible. Since the budget will allow only a select number of coupons to be printed across all sources, they want to ensure that everyone has a chance to get one. For this reason, they put a limit of 2 prints per computer or IP address. This is actually built into the agreements between the coupon source and the manufacturer, to ensure that one person will not be able to print an excessive number of coupons.

PART 3 – WHY CAN’T I PRINT THE SAME COUPON AGAIN?

Many times, a coupon will run out of prints only to return again. Sometimes, these returning coupons fall under the same original agreement — they have simply increased the budget to allow for additional prints for consumers. Since it is still part of the original agreement, the same limits apply per consumer. For that reason, you may not be able to print it again. There is no way for anyone to know when it has been reset (meaning everyone can print again as it is a new printing contract) or if it is the same coupon returning for a second chance printing.

So there you have it! The reasons coupons prints are limited for all of us. Hope it answers some of the questions you might have!!!

Money Management

About Me

Tracie is a stay at home mom to three young children; ages 6, 7 and 10 in Raymore, Missouri. In November 2007, she and her husband decided to eliminate their debt and made many changes in their lifestyle to do just that.

She and her husband eradicated over $37,000 in debt in 27 months, through both budgeting and learning how to live a frugal life. She now shares her knowledge in order to help you stretch your hard-earned dollars so you can live the life you want.